When Did I Turn Into My Mother?

Well, that’s it. I have officially turned into my mother. Last night I actually cried watching the sound of music. Not a big sobbing cry, but my eyes did tear up. It’s not like I didn’t know the story, or all the music, and this was the first time watching it, so I am not sure what got me so teary. When I was a child it was a nifty show with a lot of fun music, now I was moved by the sound of music. Erg… I gotta go do something young and hip. Maybe I should see what that twerking thing is.

Julie Trueblood’s name is found alongside an encrypted message in the safe deposit box of a dead man, bringing Navy investigator Hank Jared to her door, looking for answers. The daughter of the most infamous spy of the twenty-first century, Julie denies any knowledge of the man or the cipher and sends Hank away.

Hank is supposed to be in the Adirondacks walking his sister down the aisle, not chasing leads on a John Doe murder investigation that doesn’t even appear to be Navy-related. He’s a military man through and through, and while an order is an order, he hasn’t given up hope of finding a way to make the ceremony. When Julie contacts him and says her life is in danger, Hank finds the perfect place to hide her, right by his side, pretending to be his girlfriend at his sister’s wedding. Now he just needs to remember their relationship is all an act.

Sparks fly between Hank and Julie as they defend against a hidden enemy and seek out the truth in this deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The coded message brought them together, but its secrets hold the power to tear them apart. Guided by her generous and quirky Aunt Gwen, Julie will gather the courage to unravel the cipher that was meant for her to decode, as she learns to trust the man she was meant to love.

Lillie Claire Glidden is unraveling. She knows she’s in trouble when she finds her wallet and keys deep in the refrigerator, smelling of lettuce and forgetfulness. And not even her favorite California red wine can dull the pain of the dreaded diagnosis: Alzheimer’s.

As language starts to fail her and words disappear, Lillie Claire is determined to find a way to pass on the lessons she learned as a child on a Southern porch. Surrounded by family and caregivers, she fights to hold on to the details of her life, and to recognize the woman in the mirror for as long as possible.

Told from Lillie Claire’s perspective, All the Dancing Birds offers beautiful and terrifying insight into the secret mind of those touched—and ultimately changed—by the mystery of Alzheimer’s disease.

A lonely schoolteacher desperately wants a perfect Christmas. But mystical forces are threatening more than her holidays…her life is in danger. The only one who seems to know what’s going on is a handsome wizard who makes her want to add “romance” to this year’s Christmas wish list.

“Having had relatives on the other side of the Berlin Wall I have found it always very hard to imagine just how life was for people in ‘The East’, and many comparisons of our and their lives tended to focus on TV, VHS and Cigarette brands. All very justifiable points, but to portray life the way Gousseva does is a true gift.” — ChristophFischerBooks, Amazon Top 1000 Reviewer

“The short stories do a good job of transcending the formulaic representations of the much vilified regime and showing the children are children and childhood – no matter where and when it takes place – is still a magical time, filled with adults who know and care, places that are exciting and new and simple joys, such as seeing the sun after endless months of winter.” — Vardan Partamyan, Amazon Reviewer

“Each one of these childhood memories is told in a refreshingly honest manner, and you can get a feel for the Russian soul simply by the temperature and locale of these vignettes: ‘February: Sunshine above the Clouds,’ ‘March: Meeting My Best Friend,’ ‘April: Swimming in Gorky Park,’ ‘May: The Swamp Spirit,’ ‘June: A Real Gentleman,’ ‘July: The Hedgehog,’ ‘August: The Music Box,’ ‘September: The First Day of School,’ ‘October: The Witch Club,’ ‘November: House Repairs,’ and ‘December: New Year’s Tree,’ which brings us full circle to the beginning of the year.” — Uvi Poznansky, Amazon Reviewer

One of Grammy’s oldest and dearest friends, Santa, is in really big trouble. His sleigh’s engine is busted and if it can’t be fixed, Christmas won’t happen this year! But Grammy has a great idea. And her friends from around the world are ready to help!